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Tuberculosis is a chronic, progressive respiratory disease in many mammalian species, including bovids, swine, and primates (22). Tuberculosis is generally transmitted by aerosols or by ingestion of infected milk, meat, or other animal products (19). A common causative agent of bovine tuberculosis among livestock is Mycobacterium bovis. This pathogen is also a major zoonotic agent of human tuberculosis and is typically transmitted through the dairy products of infected cows. Humans may be exposed to M. bovis via the respiratory route or by handling urinecontaminated bedding and/or hay (22). Milk pasteurization and tuberculosis eradication programs have been implemented in many countries, reducing the incidence of zoonotic transmission of tuberculosis (22).
M. bovis infection has been reported in several mammalian species, including dairy cattle and indigenous cattle in Korea...